Cable support bracket for an electrical component

ABSTRACT

A cable management system includes a patch panel having a rear connectivity interface configured to connect with cables, and a cable support bracket. The cable support bracket includes a cable support plate configured to support the cables connected to the rear connectivity interface, an arm extending from the cable support plate, and a bias mechanism. The arm includes at least one arm portion mounted to the patch panel and a locking finger movable with respect to the arm portion. The bias mechanism operatively engages the arm portion and the locking finger and is configured to move the locking finger between a biased position and a released position. The locking finger engages the patch panel and secures the cable support bracket to the patch panel in the biased position, and the locking finger is disengaged from the patch panel and the cable support bracket can be removed from the patch panel in the released position

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cable management, and moreparticularly, to cable support brackets for electrical components.

Numerous cable management systems exist today and are used in variouselectronics equipment applications, such as telecommunications, datatransmission, networking, video and the like. Typically, to install acable management system, a rack frame is securely mounted to the floorwithin the room in which the system is to be maintained. Multiple patchpanels or boxes are then secured to the frame in a stacked arrangement.Each patch panel includes multiple connector ports (e.g. RJ45 connectorports) along the front face thereof and multiple associated cableconnections on the rear face thereof.

Conventional patch panels are generally constructed with a rectangularor square horizontal cross sectional geometry or footprint. Each patchpanel includes a planar front face. When the patch panels are mountedwithin the frame, the front faces align with one another in a verticalplane. The patch panels have a height in the vertical direction and awidth in the lateral direction. The number of patch panels that arevertically stacked upon one another and the width of the individualpatch panels determine the outer dimensions of a connectivity interfacewithin which individual connector ports are retained and arranged in adesired pattern.

As information technology evolves and improves, the need increases foreach patch panel system to support more and more individual users. Asthe number of users increases so does the need for more connector portsand cables which increases the overall physical size. To add capacity atthe connectivity interface, the front face is expanded vertically bystacking additional patch panels upon one another. Alternatively or inaddition, the connectivity interface is expanded laterally by increasingthe width of each patch panel.

With the increase in the number of cables within patch panel systems,cable management systems typically include cable support bars that arecoupled to the frame and are spaced apart from the patch panels. Thecable support bars direct the cables away from the rear of the patchpanels and generally organize the cables. The cable support barsheretofore have been constructed to permanently attach to the rack frameusing fasteners, such as screws. The installation of such cable supportbars have been a tedious and time consuming task, which increases theoverall cost of installing conventional cable management systems. Withthe increase in the number of patch panels and the number of cables, agreater number of cable support bars are needed. Due to spaceconstraints, it may be difficult to secure the cable support bars to theframe.

A need remains for an improved cable management system having cablesupports that may be installed in a time-efficient and reliable manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment, a cable management system is provided for anelectrical component having a connectivity interface configured toconnect with cables. The cable management system includes a cablesupport bracket having a cable support plate configured to support thecables connected to the connectivity interface, an arm extending fromthe cable support plate, and a bias mechanism. The arm includes at leastone arm portion configured to be mounted to the electrical component anda locking finger movable with respect to the arm portion. The biasmechanism operatively engages the arm portion and the locking finger andis configured to move the locking finger between a biased position and areleased position. The locking finger is configured to engage theelectrical component and secure the cable support bracket to theelectrical component when the locking finger is in the biased position.The locking finger is configured to be disengaged from the electricalcomponent, and the cable support bracket is configured to be removedfrom the electrical component, when the locking finger is in thereleased position.

Optionally, the electrical component may include a pair of posts, thearm portion may include a first opening mountable to a first one of theposts, and the locking finger may include a second opening mountable toa second one of the posts. The locking finger may be rotatably coupledto the arm portion by a pivot member. The arm may extend substantiallyperpendicularly from the connectivity interface of the electricalcomponent. The cable support plate may extend parallel to and be spacedapart from the connectivity interface of the electrical component. Theelectrical component and the contact support bracket may be joined toone another independent of a frame.

Optionally, a second cable support bracket may be provided having asecond arm coupled to the electrical component and supporting the cablesupport plate. The second arm may include at least one arm portionmounted to the electrical component and a locking finger movable withrespect to the arm portion. The second cable support bracket may furtherinclude a bias mechanism operatively engaging the arm portion and thelocking finger of the second arm that is configured to move the lockingfinger between a biased position and a released position.

Optionally, the arm portion may include an arm flange and the lockingfinger may include a flange substantially aligned with the arm flange,wherein the bias mechanism is captured between the arm flange and theflange of the locking finger. The bias mechanism may constitute one of aspring element, a compressible foam, a compressible plastic, and anelastomer. Optionally, the locking finger may be configured to be movedfrom the biased position to the released position by a finger of anoperator and operated without the use of a tool.

In another embodiment, a cable support bracket is provided that includesan arm extending between an electrical component end and a support plateend, wherein the arm has a mounting portion at the electrical componentend that is configured to be mounted to an electrical component andsecured thereto, and wherein the arm further has a support plateinterface at the support plate end. A cable support plate is positionedat the support plate interface. A locking finger is movably coupled tothe arm, and a bias mechanism operatively engages the arm and thelocking finger and is configured to move the locking finger between abiased position and a released position. The locking finger isconfigured to engage the electrical component and secure the cablesupport bracket to the electrical component in the biased position. Thelocking finger is configured to disengage from the electrical componentin the released position to remove the cable support bracket from theelectrical component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cable management system for a distribution assemblyand formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a cable manager, including cablesupport brackets, for the cable management system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one of the cable support brackets shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of a portion of the support bracket shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the cable manager shown in FIG. 2in an extended state.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an alternative cable manager.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of another alternative cable manager.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an alternative patch panel andalternative cable manager.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the cable manager shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a cable management system 10 for a distributionassembly 24 and formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Thecable management system 10 is provided for managing cables for thedistribution assembly 24. It is noted that the distribution assembly 24illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely illustrative of an exemplarysystem/component utilizing the cable management system 10, and othertypes of systems/components may also utilize the cable management system10, such as a patch panel, a switch, an equipment rack, or another typeof system/component having cables attached thereto or extendingtherefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the distribution assembly 24includes a rack frame 12 that is configured to be mounted to the floorand/or ceiling of an applications room. The rack frame 12 includes abase plate 14 having an upper flange 16 that is joined to legs 18 and20.

A plurality of patch panels 22 are arranged in a stacked configurationforming the distribution assembly 24. In the illustrated embodiment, thepatch panels 22 are generally planar, however, other types of patchpanels may be used, such as curved or angled patch panels, or patchpanels having a generally V-shape. The patch panels 22 are securelyattached to the rack frame 12 in a manner that is explained below inmore detail.

The patch panels 22 include a plurality of openings 26 (shown in FIG. 2)for receiving electronic modules 28 therein. In an exemplary embodiment,the electronic modules 28 include multiple connector ports 30 (e.g. RJ45connector ports) along a front connectivity interface 32 of the patchpanel 22. Each connector port 30 is adapted to receive a plug on amating cable (not shown) that conveys a single data stream.Corresponding cables 34 are also connected to the electronic modules 28at a rear connectivity interface 36 (shown in FIG. 2) of the patch panel22. The cables 34 are routed generally behind the patch panels 22. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the cables 34 are routed to an equipmentsystem 38 (such as a switching network), although the system 38 may beentirely removed or may be located in a different location.

A plurality of cable managers 40 are also stacked upon one another andarranged generally behind the patch panels 22. The cable managers 40 areused to support and/or manage the cables 34 extending from the rearconnectivity interface 36 of the patch panel 22. The rack frame 12extends upward along each of the cable managers 40. In an exemplaryembodiment, the cable managers 40 are securely attached to respectiveones of the patch panels 22. The cable managers 40 may be secured to thepatch panels 22 to be free standing independent of the rack frame 12,and as such may be secured to the patch panels 22 either before or afterthe patch panels 22 are securely attached to the rack frame 12. In analternative embodiment, the cable managers 40 may be securely attachedto the rack frame 12 in addition to, or alternatively to, being attachedto the patch panels 14. For example, a support or bracket may extendfrom the rack frame 12, to which the cable managers 40 are mounted.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of one of the cable managers 40securely attached to a corresponding one of the patch panels 22 for thecable management system 10 (shown in FIG. 1). The cable manager 40includes a pair of cable support brackets 50 that are attached to thepatch panel 22 and a cable support plate 52 that extends between theopposed cable support brackets 50. In an exemplary embodiment, and asdescribed in further detail below, the cable support brackets 50 may besecured to the patch panel 22 by hand and without the need for aseparate tool. As such, the cable support brackets 50 may be secured tothe patch panel 22 quickly and efficiently. Alternatively, the cablesupport brackets 50 may be secured to the patch panel 22 by fastenersthat require a tool to tighten. The cable support brackets 50 hold andposition the cable support plate 52, such that the cable support plate52 may support the cables 34 (shown in FIG. 1). Optionally, the cablesupport plate 52 may be integrally formed with the cable supportbrackets 50. Alternatively, the cable support plate 52 may be secured tothe cable support brackets 50, such as by using fasteners or by weldingthe pieces together.

The patch panel 22 includes an upright wall 54 that includes theplurality of openings 26 for receiving the electronic modules 28 (shownin FIG. 1). The upright wall 54 is generally planar, however, may benon-planar in alternative embodiments, such as by including angled wallsections which provide a generally outwardly convex or bowed surfacewhen viewed from the front connectivity interface 32. The openings 26are separated by connecting portions 56. Tabs 58 extend from the opposedends of the upright wall 54 and are used to mount the patch panel 22 tothe rack frame 12 (shown in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the tabs 58 aresecured to the rack frame 12 using fasteners (not shown). When the patchpanel 22 is secured to the rack frame 12, the upright wall 54 has agenerally vertical orientation.

The patch panel 22 also includes ledges 60 that extend from opposed topand bottom sides of the upright wall 54. The ledges 60 extend rearwardfrom the rear connectivity interface 36. In an exemplary embodiment,each ledge 60 includes mounting posts 62 extending inwardly therefrom.The mounting posts 62 are used for mounting the cable manager 40 to thepatch panel 22, as described in more detail below. In the illustratedembodiment, the lower ledge 60 includes upwardly extending mountingposts 62 at two mounting locations for attaching respective ones of theopposed cable support brackets 50. Similarly, the upper ledge 60includes downwardly extending mounting posts 62 at two mountinglocations for attaching to respective ones of the opposed cable supportbrackets 50. While two mounting locations are illustrated, it isrealized that more or less mounting locations may be provided dependingon the number of cable support brackets 50 used to support the supportplate 52. For example, a single cable support bracket 50 may be used tosupport the support plate 52, such as in a substantially centrallocation of the patch panel 22.

Alternative mounting elements may be provided on the patch panel 22 formounting the cable managers 40 to the patch panel 22. For example, thepatch panel 22 may include latches (not shown) for engaging and securingthe cable manager thereto. Alternatively, the patch panel 22 may includeopenings, slots, holes or channels for receiving portions of the cablemanager 40 and/or fasteners (not shown) used to secure the cable manager40 to the patch panel 22.

The cable support plate 52 includes a support surface 64 for supportingthe cables 34. The support plate 52 is generally spaced apart from therear connectivity interface 36 by a distance 66 that is controlled bythe cable support brackets 50, as will be explained in further detailbelow. The support plate 52 extends generally parallel to the patchpanel 22 and is aligned with at least one of the openings 26 in thepatch panel 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the support plate 52 isaligned with all of the openings 26 and is used to support cables 34from electronic modules 28 received in each of the openings 26. However,in alternative embodiments, multiple cable managers 40 may be used foreach patch panel 22 such that each support plate 52 supports cables 34from less than all of the electronic modules 28 associated with thepatch panel 22. Optionally, the support surface 64 may be generallyplanar and may be oriented perpendicular with respect to the uprightwall 54 of the patch panel 22. For example, when the cable manager 40 ismounted to the patch panel 22, the support surface 64 has a generallyhorizontal orientation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support plate 52 includes a plurality ofelongated channels 68. The elongated channels 68 are configured toreceive clips (not shown) that are used to organize the cables 34.Alternatively, the elongated channels 68 may receive wire ties (notshown) that are used to secure the cables 34 in selected positions alongthe support surface 64. In an exemplary embodiment, the support plate 52includes beveled edges 70 at the front and rear sides of the supportplate 52. The beveled edges 70 are angled with respect to the supportsurface 64. The beveled edges 70 provide rigidity to the support plate52. The beveled edge 70 at the rear side of the support plate 52 isangled to resist damage (e.g. cutting or slicing) to the cables 34 asthe cables 34 are draped over the rear side.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one of the cable support brackets 50. Thecable support bracket 50 includes an arm 100 having first and second armportions 102, 104, a locking finger 106 movably coupled to the secondarm portion 104, and a bias mechanism 108. The bias mechanism 108operatively engages the second arm portion 104 and the locking finger106 to facilitate relative movement between the second arm portion 104and the locking finger 106. The cable support bracket 50 is configuredto be coupled to the patch panel 22 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and/or therack frame 12 (shown in FIG. 1) by the second arm portion 104 and thelocking finger 106, as described in further detail below. The bracketsupport plate 52 extends from the first arm portion 102.

In an exemplary embodiment, and as described in further detail below,the first and second arm portions 102, 104 are movably coupled to oneanother such that the first arm member 102 may be selectively positionedwith respect to the second arm member 104. The first and second armportions 102, 104 are coupled to one another using a coupler 110, suchas a threaded fastener, a thumb screw, a captive fastener, a pin, abolt, a dowel, a rivet, a latch, a wire tie, and the like. While it isbeneficial that the coupler 110 be removable to provide the ability forrepositioning of the first and second arm portions 102, 104, the firstand second arm portions 102, 104 may be permanently coupled to oneanother, such as by welding the portions to one another, rather thanusing a removable coupler 110, in alternative embodiments. In anotheralternative embodiment, the arm 100 may be a single member that is notadjustable, but rather positions the cable support plate 52 at apredetermined distance from the patch panel 22.

Optionally, and as illustrated in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and3, the first and second arm portions 102, 104 represent first and secondrails that are slidably coupled to one another. The first and second armportions 102, 104 may also be referred to hereinafter as first andsecond rails 102, 104, or alternatively, may also be referred tohereinafter as an inner rail 102 and an outer rail 104. While the firstand second arm portions may be illustrated and referred to as rails, itis realized that the arm portions 102, 104 may have different shapesand/or sizes than the rails illustrated in the various embodiments, suchas flat, plate-like structures that are coupled to one another.

The first arm portion 102 includes an upright wall 112 having an innersurface 113 and an outer surface 114. The first arm portion 102 extendsbetween a front end 115 and a rear end 116. An upper rail 118 extendsgenerally inwardly from a top side of the upright wall 112. A lower rail120 extends generally inwardly from a bottom side of the upright wall112. The first arm portion 102 includes a support plate interface 122along the lower rail 120. The support plate 52 is attached to the firstarm portion 102 at the support plate interface 122. In an exemplaryembodiment, the support plate 52 is integrally formed with the first armportion 102 and extends from the first arm portion 102 at the supportplate interface 122. Alternatively, the support plate 52 may beseparately provided from, and attached to, the first arm portion 102 atthe support plate interface 122.

The first arm portion 102 includes a plurality of openings 124 extendingthrough the upright wall 112. The openings 124 are spaced apart from oneanother and are aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis 126of the first arm portion 102. Optionally, the openings 124 may bepositioned relatively closer to one of the upper or lower rails 118,120. While two openings 124 are illustrated in FIG. 3, it is realizedthat the number of openings 124 may be greater than, or less than, twodepending on the size of the first arm portion 102 and/or depending onthe number of positions desired between the first and second armportions 102, 104.

The second arm portion 104 includes an upright wall 132 having an innersurface 133 and an outer surface 134. The second arm portion 104 extendsbetween a front end 135 and a rear end 136. An upper rail 138 extendsgenerally inwardly from a top side of the upright wall 132. A lower rail140 extends generally inwardly from a bottom side of the upright wall132. The upright wall 132 and the rails 138, 140 together form aC-shaped channel 142 configured to receive the first arm portion 102.The first arm portion 102 is sized to nest within the channel 142 suchthat the outer surface 114 of the first arm portion 102 engages theinner surface 133 of the second arm portion 104. The upright walls 112,132 engage one another, the upper rails 118, 138 engage one another, andthe lower rails 120, 140 engage one another. The upper and lower rails138, 140 of the second arm portion 104 capture the first arm portion 102and resist rotational movement of the first arm portion 102 with respectto the second arm portion 102. The upper and lower rails 138, 140 of thesecond arm portion 104 allow only translational movement parallel to thelongitudinal axis 126 of the first arm portion 102.

The second arm portion 104 includes a mounting portion 144 at the frontend 135 thereof. The mounting portion 144 is integrally formed with theupright wall 132 and includes a downwardly extending tab 146.Alternatively, the mounting portion 144 may be separately provided from,and attached to, the second arm portion 102. The tab 146 defines a mountfor the second arm portion 102 for mounting the second arm portion 104to the patch panel 22. The tab 146 is bent at approximately 90 degreessuch that the tab 146 has a substantially horizontal portion for restingon the mounting location on the lower ledge 60 (shown in FIG. 2) of thepatch panel 22. The tab 146 includes on opening 148 therethrough forreceiving the mounting post 62 (shown in FIG. 2) during assembly.

The second arm portion 104 includes a plurality of openings 150extending through the upright wall 132. The openings 150 are spacedapart from one another and are aligned with one another along alongitudinal axis 152 of the second arm portion 104. Optionally, theopenings 150 may be positioned relatively closer to one of the upper orlower rails 138, 140. While two openings 150 are illustrated in FIG. 3,it is realized that the number of openings 150 may be greater than, orless than, two depending on the size of the second arm portion 104and/or depending on the number of positions desired between the firstand second arm portions 102, 104. During assembly, at least one of theopenings 124 of the first arm portion 102 are aligned with acorresponding one(s) of the openings 150 of the second arm portion 104and the coupler 110 is used to securely couple the first and second armportions 102, 104 to one another. By aligning different ones of theopenings 124, 150, the relative positions of the first and second armportions 102, 104 may be adjusted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second arm portion 104 includes asecondary opening 154 extending through the upright wall 132. Thesecondary opening 154 receives a secondary coupler 156 used to join thelocking finger 106 to the second arm portion 104. The secondary coupler156 may be any type of coupler, such as a threaded fastener, a thumbscrew, a pin, a bolt, a dowel, a rivet, a latch, a wire tie, and thelike. In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary coupler 156 also couplesthe bias mechanism 108 to the second arm portion 104. However, inalternative embodiments, the bias mechanism may be coupled to the secondarm portion 104 using a different coupler, or may not be coupled to thesecond arm portion 104 at all. In the illustrated embodiment, thesecondary coupler 156 includes a shaft 158 extending through thesecondary opening 154 and the locking finger 106 rotates about the shaft158.

The locking finger 106 includes an upright wall 162 having an innersurface 163 and an outer surface 164. The locking finger 106 extendsbetween a front end 165 and a rear end 166. The locking finger 106includes a mounting portion 168 at the front end 165 thereof. Themounting portion 168 is integrally formed with the upright wall 162 andincludes an upwardly extending tab 170. The tab 170 defines a mount forthe locking finger 106 for mounting the locking finger 106 to the patchpanel 22. The tab 170 is bent at approximately 90 degrees such that thetab 170 has a substantially horizontal portion for resting against themounting location on the upper ledge 60 (shown in FIG. 2) of the patchpanel 22. The tab 170 includes on opening 172 therethrough for receivingthe mounting post 62 (shown in FIG. 2) during assembly. The operation ofthe locking finger 106 will be described in further detail below.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bias mechanism 108 is a metal springhaving opposed ends 174, 176. The bias mechanism 108 is wound around acentral bore 178 that receives the shaft 158 of the secondary coupler156. As such, the secondary coupler 156 holds the bias mechanism 108 inplace. In alternative embodiments, the bias mechanism 108 may be anothertype of flexible elastic object used to store mechanical energy, such asa compressible foam, a compressible plastic, an elastomer, and the like.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of a portion of the support bracket 50illustrating the locking finger 106 coupled to the second leg portion104. The locking finger 106 is coupled to the second leg portion 104using the secondary coupler 156. In the illustrated embodiment, thelocking finger 106 is rotatably coupled to the second leg portion 104,wherein the locking finger 106 rotates about the secondary coupler 156.The locking finger 106 is positioned such that the tab 170 of thelocking finger 106 is substantially aligned with the tab 146 of thesecond arm portion 104. However, if the mounting posts 62 are off-setand not aligned with one another, the tabs 170, 146 may be similarlyoff-set.

The second arm portion 104 includes an arm flange 180 extending from thelower rail 140 that is adapted to capture the bias mechanism 108.Similarly, the locking finger 106 includes a flange 182 that is adaptedto capture the bias mechanism 108. Optionally, the flange 182 may be atleast partially aligned with the arm flange 180.

Once assembled, the lower rail 140 and/or arm flange 180 supports oneend 174 of the bias mechanism 108 and the flange 182 supports the otherend 176 (shown in FIG. 3) of the bias mechanism 108. The bias mechanism108 presses against the lower rail 140 and/or arm flange 180 in thedirection of arrow A, and the bias mechanism 108 presses against theflange 182 in the opposite direction, shown by arrow B. As such, thebias mechanism 108 forces the locking finger 106 to a biased position(as shown in FIG. 4). The locking finger 106 may be moved from thebiased position to a released position, which is illustrated in FIG. 5,by pressing the locking finger 106 in a downward direction, such as inthe direction of arrow C. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking finger106 is rotated about the secondary coupler 156 between the released andthe biased positions.

In alternative embodiments, the locking finger 106 may be moved in alinear direction rather than a pivoted direction. For example, thesecondary opening 154 may be elongated such that the locking finger 106may be able to move linearly. In another alternative embodiment, ratherthan forcing the locking finger upward to a biased position, the lockingfinger 106 may be pulled or otherwise forced downward by the biasmechanism 108 to the biased position, and the locking 106 may be movedto the released position by pulling up on the locking finger 106. Insuch an embodiment, both mounting posts 62 (shown in FIG. 2) may beupwardly extending. Other types of movements and configurations oflocking fingers 106 may be provided in other alternative embodiments,wherein the locking fingers 106 are movable from a locked position to anunlocked position by an operator. It may also be beneficial that thelocking finger 106 be movable by hand and without the need for aseparate tool. As such, the cable support bracket 50 may be mounted tothe patch panel 22 in a quick and efficient manner.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the cable manager 40 in an extendedstate, as opposed to FIG. 2, which illustrates the cable manager 40 in aretracted state. FIG. 5 also illustrates the cable manager 40 mounted tothe patch panel 22. As described above, the cable manager 40 may includemore than one cable support bracket 50 to support the cable supportplate 52. The cable support brackets 50 are each mounted to the patchpanel 22 in a similar manner.

During assembly, when mounting each cable support bracket 50 to thepatch panel 22, the tab 146 is mounted to the lower mounting post 62 bylowering the tab 146 onto the mounting post 62 such that the mountingpost 62 is received within the opening 148. Each locking finger 106 ismoved to the released position, such as the position of the lockingfinger 106 illustrated in FIG. 5 on the left-hand side of the Figure.When the locking finger 106 is in the released position, the opening 172of the tab 170 of the locking finger 106 may be aligned with the uppermounting post 62 of the patch panel 22. If the locking finger 106 werenot in the released position during assembly, then the locking finger106 may not be capable of being properly aligned with the mounting post62. Once the locking finger 106 is properly positioned, the lockingfinger 106 is released, and the locking finger 106 is forced to thebiased position by the bias mechanism 108. In the biased position, thelocking finger 106 engages the mounting post 62 of the patch panel 22and secures the cable support bracket 50 to the patch panel 22.

To remove the cable support bracket 50 from the patch panel 22, thelocking finger 106 is moved to the released position. The locking finger106 is disengaged from the mounting post 62 and the cable supportbracket 50 may be removed from the patch panel 22. Optionally, the cablesupport bracket 50 may be rotated downwardly and then raised off of thelower mounting post 62, or alternatively, the cable support bracket 50may be lifted vertically off of the lower mounting post and then movedrearward.

As described above, FIG. 5 illustrates the cable manager 40 in anextended state. In the extended state, the cable support plate 52 ispositioned a distance 200 from the rear connectivity interface 36 of thepatch panel 22. The distance 200 is greater in the extended state thanthe distance 66 of the retracted state, such as the state illustrated inFIG. 2. As described above, the first and second arm portions 102, 104are movable with respect to one another. As such, the cable supportplate 52 may be selectively positionable with respect to the patch panel22. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the first arm portion 102is slid rearward, in the direction of arrow D until the forward mostopening 124 in the first arm portion 102 is substantially aligned withthe rearward most opening 150 in the second arm portion 104. The coupler110 is then used to secure the relative position of the first armportion 102 with respect to the second arm portion 104. Comparing theextended position to the retracted position of FIG. 2, in FIG. 2 thefirst arm portion 102 is slid forward, opposite to the direction ofarrow D until the forward most opening 124 in the first arm portion 102is substantially aligned with the forward most opening 150 in the secondarm portion 104. The coupler 110 is then used to secure the relativeposition of the first arm portion 102 with respect to the second armportion 104. Depending on the number of openings 124 and/or 150, variouspositions may be achieved.

By providing a cable manager 40 that has the ability to selectivelyposition the cable support plate, the cable manager 40 is more versatileas compared to known cable supports that position a cable support bar ina single position. For example, rather than having an installer carrymultiple different sized cable supports, the cable manager 40 allows theinstaller to vary the distance 200 of the cable support plate 52 fromthe patch panel 22. As such, the cable managers 40 stacked within thecable management system 10 (shown in FIG. 1) may better manage thecables 34 (shown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an alternative cable supportbracket 50 for the cable management system 10 (shown in FIG. 1). Thecable support bracket 50 illustrated in FIG. 6 differs from the cablesupport brackets described above in that the cable support bracket 50includes a first arm portion 102 that includes an elongated slot 210rather than a plurality of openings 124 (shown in FIG. 3). The elongatedslot 210 allows the coupler 110 to secure the first arm portion 102 tothe second arm portion 104 in any number of positions between aforward-most-position and a rearward-most position. In the forward-mostposition, the coupler 110 engages a rearward end 212 of the slot 210. Inthe rearward-most position, the coupler 110 engages a forward end 214 ofthe slot 210.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of another alternative cable supportbracket 50 for the cable management system 10 (shown in FIG. 1). Thecable support bracket 50 illustrated in FIG. 7 differs from the cablesupport brackets described above in that the cable support bracket 50includes a second arm portion 104 that includes a coupler represented bya latch 220 rather than a threaded fastener as illustrated in the abovefigures.

The latch 220 includes a handle 222 at an end of a deflectable beam 224.A pin extends inward from the handle 222 and/or the beam 224 to engage arespective one of the openings 124 in the first arm portion 102. Thelatch 220 thus secures the position of the first arm portion 102 withrespect to the second arm portion 104. The number of positions dependson the number of openings 124 in the first arm portion 102. In analternative embodiment, rather than individual openings, the first armportion 102 may include an elongated slot with teeth arranged along theslot, wherein the latch engages the teeth to selectively position thefirst arm portion 102 with respect to the second arm portion 104.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an alternative patch panel 230 andalternative cable manager 232 for the cable management system 10 (shownin FIG. 1). The patch panel 230 includes two rows of openings 234 thateach receives electronic modules 235, which may be similar to theelectronic modules 28 (shown in FIG. 1). The patch panel 230 isnon-planar and includes two sections 236, 238 that are angled away fromone another. The patch panel 230 is mounted to the rack frame 12 (shownin FIG. 1) in a similar manner as the patch panel 22 (shown in FIG. 1).

The cable manager 232 includes a pair of cable support brackets 240 thatare attached to the patch panel 230, an upper cable support plate 242and a lower cable support plate 244. Both support plates 242, 244 extendbetween the opposed cable support brackets 240. The cable supportbrackets 240 hold and position the cable support plates 242, 244 suchthat the cable support plates 242, 244 may support the cables 34 (shownin FIG. 1).

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the cable manager 232. Each of the cablesupport brackets 240 includes an arm 250 having two inner arm portions252, 253, an outer arm portion 254, a locking finger 256 movably coupledto the outer arm portion 254, and a bias mechanism 258. The inner armportions 252, 253 are stacked with respect to one another and defineupper and lower inner arm portions 252, 253, respectively. The biasmechanism 258 operatively engages the second arm portion 254 and thelocking finger 256 to force the locking finger 256 to a biased position(shown in FIG. 8) from a released position (not shown). The cablesupport bracket 240 is configured to be coupled to the patch panel 230(shown in FIG. 8) by the outer arm portion 254 and the locking finger256 in a similar manner as the cable support bracket 50 (shown in FIGS.1-7). The upper bracket support plate 242 extends from the upper innerarm portion 252, and the lower bracket support plate 244 extends fromthe lower inner arm portion 253.

The outer arm portion 254 includes an upper rail 260 and a lower rail262. The outer arm portion 254 also includes an upper ledge 264 and alower ledge 266. The upper inner arm portion 252 is slidably capturedbetween the upper rail 260 and the upper ledge 264. The lower inner armportion 253 is slidably captured between the lower rail 262 and thelower ledge 266. Couplers 268 are used to securely couple the inner armportions 252, 253 to the outer arm portion 254 in a similar manner asdescribed above.

The outer arm portion 254 includes a shoulder 270 extending inwardly.The shoulder 270 is positioned generally below the locking finger 256.The shoulder 270 supports the bias mechanism 258 and provides a biasingsurface for the bias mechanism 258.

FIG. 9 also illustrates a plurality of clips 272 coupled to the cablesupport plates 242, 244. The clips 272 orient and hold the cables 34(shown in FIG. 1). The clips 272 include channels 274 that receive thecables 34 therein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials,orientations of the various components, and the number and positions ofthe various components described herein are intended to defineparameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and aremerely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of theinvention should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, theterms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

1. A cable management system for an electrical component having aconnectivity interface configured to connect with cables, said cablemanagement system comprising a cable support bracket having a cablesupport plate configured to support the cables connected to theconnectivity interface, an arm extending from the cable support plate,and a bias mechanism, the arm includes at least one arm portionconfigured to be mounted to the electrical component and a lockingfinger movable with respect to the arm portion, the bias mechanismoperatively engaging the arm portion and the locking finger andconfigured to move the locking finger between a biased position and areleased position, wherein the locking finger is configured to engagethe electrical component and secure the cable support bracket to theelectrical component when the locking finger is in the biased position,and wherein the locking finger is configured to be disengaged from theelectrical component, and the cable support bracket is configured to beremoved from the electrical component, when the locking finger is in thereleased position.
 2. The cable management system of claim 1, whereinthe electrical component includes a pair of posts, the arm portionincludes a first opening mountable to a first one of the posts, and thelocking finger includes a second opening mountable to a second one ofthe posts.
 3. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein thelocking finger is rotatably coupled to the arm portion by a pivotmember.
 4. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the armextends substantially perpendicularly from the connectivity interface ofthe electrical component.
 5. The cable management system of claim 1,wherein the arm extends between the electrical component and the cablesupport plate, and wherein the cable support plate extends parallel toand is spaced apart from the connectivity interface of the electricalcomponent.
 6. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein theelectrical component includes a patch panel, the contact support bracketis configured to be joined to the patch panel independent of a frame. 7.The cable management system of claim 1, further comprising a secondcable support bracket having a second arm configured to be coupled tothe electrical component and supporting the cable support plate.
 8. Thecable management system of claim 7, wherein the second arm includes atleast one arm portion configured to be mounted to the electricalcomponent and a locking finger movable with respect to the arm portionof the second arm, the second cable support bracket further includes abias mechanism operatively engaging the arm portion of the second armand the locking finger of the second arm and configured to move thelocking finger between a biased position and a released position.
 9. Thecable management system of claim 1, wherein the arm portion includes anarm flange and the locking finger includes a flange substantiallyaligned with the arm flange, the bias mechanism being captured betweenthe arm flange and the flange of the locking finger.
 10. The cablemanagement system of claim 1, wherein the bias mechanism comprises oneof a spring element, a compressible foam, a compressible plastic, and anelastomer.
 11. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein thelocking finger is configured to be moved from the biased position to thereleased position by a finger of an operator and operated without theuse of a tool.
 12. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein theelectrical component includes a first row of openings configured toreceive electronic modules therein that are configured to connect withthe cables, and wherein the electrical component includes a second rowof openings configured to receive electronic modules therein that areconfigured to connect with the cables, the cable support bracketconfigured to support cables from electronic modules in both rows. 13.The cable management system of claim 12, wherein the cable supportbracket further includes a second cable support plate configured tosupport the cables connected to the electronic modules within the secondrow of openings.
 14. A cable support bracket comprising: an armextending between an electrical component end and a support plate end,the arm having a mounting portion at the electrical component end thatis configured to be mounted to an electrical component and securedthereto, the arm further having a support plate interface at the supportplate end, wherein a cable support plate is positioned at the supportplate interface; a locking finger movably coupled to the arm; and a biasmechanism operatively engaging the arm and the locking finger andconfigured to move the locking finger between a biased position and areleased position, wherein the locking finger is configured to engagethe electrical component and secure the cable support bracket to theelectrical component in the biased position, and wherein the lockingfinger is configured to disengage from the electrical component in thereleased position to remove the cable support bracket from theelectrical component.
 15. The cable support bracket of claim 14, whereinthe electrical component includes a pair of posts, the arm includes afirst opening configured to be mounted to a first one of the posts, andthe locking finger includes a second opening configured to be mounted toa second one of the posts.
 16. The cable support bracket of claim 14,wherein the locking finger is rotatably coupled to the arm by a pivotmember.
 17. The cable support bracket of claim 14, wherein the armincludes a generally planar wall, the locking finger coupled to the walland being movable generally parallel to the wall.
 18. The cable supportbracket of claim 14, wherein the arm includes an outer rail member andan inner rail member that is movable with respect to the outer railmember, the inner rail member including the support plate interface, theouter rail member including the mounting portion.
 19. The cable supportbracket of claim 14, wherein the arm includes a arm flange and thelocking finger includes a flange substantially aligned with the armflange, the bias mechanism being captured between the arm flange and theflange of the locking finger.
 20. The cable support bracket of claim 14,wherein the bias mechanism comprises one of a spring element, acompressible foam, a compressible plastic, and an elastomer.